Open AccessBeyond Diversity
Author(s) -
J. van Eijnatten
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal for history culture and modernity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2213-0624
DOI - 10.18352/hcm.495
Subject(s) - transnationalism , postcolonialism (international relations) , postmodernism , modernity , humanity , essentialism , sociology , civilization , mobilities , balance (ability) , nation state , diversity (politics) , popularity , aesthetics , humanism , epistemology , state (computer science) , political science , gender studies , social science , anthropology , philosophy , politics , law , medicine , algorithm , computer science , physical medicine and rehabilitation
The overwhelming popularity in academic writing of such concepts as transnationalism, anti-essentialism and postcolonialism illustrate the impact of the postmodern critique of once-stable entities ranging from the nation and the state to culture and civilization. We no longer believe in the steady orderings of humanity bequeathed by ‘heavy modernity’. But does this mean that concepts like the nation and civilization are obsolete? This article takes issue with the current hype of transnationalism, and suggests a correction to the current focus on interconnectedness, networks and flows by introducing the concept of ‘reference cultures’. It claims that in the history of the world, robust collective mentalities act as a counter-balance to cultures in motion.